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As green thinking and sustainability come to the forefront of business practices, well-run maintenance department with a focus on energy efficiency are becoming increasingly important, according to web site Sustainable Plant.

Examples of best practice mentioned in the article include Mohawk Fine Papers in Cohoes, N.Y., – a keen proponent of energy efficiency measures since the 1990s. After its energy costs rose 30 percent over the past five years, the premium writing paper manufacturer instituted a more regimented maintenance schedule for its machines, and measured performance using an enterprise asset management system designed by Infor.

As well as realizing expected reliability benefits from improved preventative measures, the company also drove down its energy use as the machines were running more efficiently. The company has reduced its energy use by 15 percent so far and expects a further 15-to-20 percent drop, the web site reports.

Similarly, the City of Des Moines, Iowa, expects to reduced its energy costs at its wastewater reclamation plant by $40,000 a year through the use of an advanced EAM, the article says.